Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the second Guinness Pro12 semi-final as Connacht welcome Glasgow Warriors to the Sportsground.
A place in next week’s final against Leinster is on the line in Galway, with Pat Lam’s side looking to continue their fantastic season.
Kick-off is at 6.30pm.
It’s an absolutely cracking day in Galway, where there’s a real party atmosphere. The Sportsground will be hopping come kick-off time.
There are no late changes on either side, so the teams will line-out as named yesterday.
Lam has made just one change for today’s do-or-die clash, bringing Eoin McKeon back into the side which beat the Scots a fortnight ago.
McKeon replaces Sean O’Brien on the blindside for the historic clash at the Sportsground, Connacht’s first-ever appearance in the league play-offs.
Connacht
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Ronan Loughney
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. Eoin McKeon
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. JP Cooney
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Andrew Browne
20. Sean O’Brien
21. John Cooney
22. Shane O’Leary
23. Peter Robb
Glasgow Warriors
15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Mark Bennett
12. Peter Horne
11. Sean Lamont
10. Finn Russell
9. Henry Pyrgos
1. Gordon Reid
2. Fraser Brown
3. Zander Fagerson
4. Leone Nakarawa
5. Jonny Gray (captain)
6. Ryan Wilson
7. Simone Favaro
8. Josh Strauss
Replacements:
16. Pat MacArthur
17. Ryan Grant
18. D’arcy Rae
19. Tim Swinson
20. Adam Ashe
21. Grayson Hart
22. Duncan Weir
23. Taqele Naiyaravoro
Not long until kick-off now. Which way do you see this one going?
It’s a sell-out for tonight’s historic clash. It promises to be a memorable occasion.
Kick-off! AJ MacGinty gets us underway.
There’s a strong wind blowing across the Sportsground.
Early concern for Glasgow as Finn Russell and Zander Fagerson clash and both lay stricken on the ground. Scores of medical personnel flood onto the pitch as Gregor Townsend looks on.
That all came from a big carry from Bundee Aki off the back of a Connacht line-out.
Zander Fagerson has left the field for a HIA but Russell looks in more trouble and Duncan Weir is on.
Russell is being treated and is now being put on a stretcher. That nasty clash has just taken all the atmosphere from inside the ground with genuine concern for Russell in particular.
Russell leaves on a stretcher and we’re back underway with a Connacht scrum.
Connacht looking to hit their opponents early. The hosts spread it wide and Marmion darts through to bring his side inside the 22. A knock-on sees the move break down but encouraging signs for Pat Lam.
Connacht enjoying all the early possession. Glasgow just trying to settle into the game and that setback will have unsettled the visitors.
Periods of concerted pressure for Connacht now as they go through the phases. They’re eventually rewarded as Glasgow are penalised for being off the feet at the breakdown.
Into the wind, MacGinty goes for the corner.
Nothing comes off that line-out but Connacht keep knocking on the door and win another penalty on the far side.
Glasgow penned inside their own 22. Henshaw runs into heavy traffic in midfield and tries to offload to O’Halloran. The visitors are so far standing firm.
Frenetic start to the game. Connacht are seeing plenty of the ball but have yet to really click into gear. We’re still scoreless after 15 minutes.
Finn Russell is taken from the field after a nasty clash with team-mate Zander Fagerson.
Glasgow’s first foray into opposition territory and it yields a penalty as Dillane is pinging for coming in from the side.
Weir kicks for the corner, with the wind swirling around.
And Connacht steal the line-out at the tail and clear the danger. Huge roar from the terrace.
Brilliant break from Matt Healy as he scythes through the Glasgow defence. He has Dillane on his shoulder and Connacht recycle possession as the visitors filter back.
And the Sportsground erupts! Bundee Aki cuts through and Eoin McKeon is over in the corner…but we’re going upstairs.
No try! The officials pull it back for a knock-on in the build-up by Bundee Aki. Really unfortunate from Connacht after a brilliant team move.
It’s been immensely physical so far with Glasgow’s defence standing up to the test.
PENALTY! Connacht 3-0 Glasgow (MacGinty)
We have our first points of the day with MacGinty making no mistake from the tee. What normally would have been a straightforward kick was made far trickier by the gusting wind.
PENALTY! Connacht 3-3 Glasgow (Weir)
Weir responds immediately as he measures a penalty from the left touchline perfectly. The execution was exquisite as he struck it sweetly and used the wind to bring it back between the posts.
Glasgow are level but they could be about to lose another man as the medics race on.
Brilliant carry from MacGinty there and Simone Favaro takes a heavy hit. The good news is that he’s back on his feet but will have to go for a HIA.
Glasgow run it wide for the first time and they look dangerous as Hogg looks to combine with Bennett but the former just overruns the final pass. Scrum Connacht.
It’s been one for the purists so far. Connacht, as always, have looked to play their attacking game but Glasgow have managed to keep their key threats quiet so far.
Eoin McKeon saw his try ruled out.
Connacht are knocking on the door.
TRY! Connacht 10-3 Glasgow (Adeolokun)
Superb from Aki, as he chips it through and it bounces beautifully for Adeolokun to gather and dip inside two defenders to run the ball under the posts.
He’s involved in everything. 11 carries already for Aki.
Late chance for Glasgow to hit back.
Connacht somehow hold Glasgow up when it looked like the Scots were in for a certain try under the posts. And that’s half-time!
Half-time! Connacht 10-3 Glasgow
Teams back out for the second half. Favaro is going off for Connacht, no changes for the hosts.
And we’re off.
Glasgow come out of the blocks quickly, looking for an early score to reduce the deficit.
Energy-sapping stuff. Connacht brilliant in defence and it’s Aki who turns it over. Ferocious start to the second period.
Glasgow come with inches of the line and look to be in but the referee pulls it back for infringement in the build-up.
Brilliant from Bennett as he dances his way through. Connacht just have enough numbers in defence to get back and stop him in his tracks. Glasgow spread it wide to Hogg and they’re inches away…
TRY! Connacht 10-8 Glasgow (Nakarawa)
And the big Fijian finishes it off.
Connacht respond immediately by winning a penalty deep in opposition territory – but MacGinty goes for the corner again. Alan Quinlan believes they should have taken the shot on goal.
The crowd are on their feet as Connacht look for a way through. They move it from side to side, Aki shows incredible hands and Healy uses all his pace. It all results in a penalty in front of the posts.
PENALTY! Connacht 13-8 Glasgow (MacGinty)
And MacGinty makes no mistake to give Connacht a five point lead.
Incredible power from Leone Nakarawa. He brings his side into the Connacht half and they win a penalty. Weir lining this one up from 26m.
PENALTY! Connacht 13-11 Glasgow (Weir)
Another good kick from Weir reduces the deficit again.
Just 20 minutes remaining and there’s two points between the sides. Connacht’s turn to apply the pressure as they go through the phases. Roars of ‘Connacht, Connacht’ reverberate around the Sportsground.
And Connacht win the penalty as Glasgow are off their feet again. The hosts have been relentless in their intensity but the Scots’ discipline has been poor.
Dillane makes his way off, limping slightly, as Andrew Browne comes on.
Connacht kick the penalty to the corner and win their own lineout. They have all the momentum with the rolling maul but Glasgow pull it down and surely that’s a yellow card.
But the Italian referee remains unmoved. 19 minutes remaining in Galway.
MacGinty goes for the corner and Connacht lose the line-out. Surely they could try and kick these?
Duncan Weir’s boot has brought Glasgow to within a score of Connacht.
PENALTY! Connacht 16-11 (MacGinty)
On this occasion, the USA international asks for the tee and he sends it between the posts.
Mistakes starting to creep in now as we enter squeaky bum time. It remains a one-score game with 13 minutes left on the clock.
The Fields of Athenry ring around the Galway Sportsground as the crowd try and rally their team for the final push.
Connacht have the scrum on halfway. It goes back to MacGinty, who puts a delicate kick in behind and it trickles into touch on that far side.
Brilliant from Connacht again as they spread it wide with quick hands and Adeolokun has the line in his sights. It looks like he’s going to be forced into touch but somehow manages to power his way over and dot down.
But we’re going to the TMO.
And it’s no try! The TMO pulls it back for accidental offside in the build-up. We’re in for tight finish.
Hogg is on the end of a high tackle from Rodney Ah You and both sets of players get involved. The referee steps back and just about brings proceedings back under control.
And the replacement prop is shown yellow! Connacht down to 14 for the remainder.
Connacht penalised for time wasting and Glasgow have the free-kick. Incredibly tense now.
Connacht throwing it around looking to exploit the extra space. Connacht holding firm, as the crowd urge them on. Grandstand finish.
12 phases now for Glasgow but they’re being pushed backwards.
And Connacht steal it! Everyone on the edge of their seat now as we enter the final three minutes.
Unsurprisingly, Bundee Aki has been named man of the match.
Connacht so close now. Scrum to Lam’s men and they’re nearly there.
Connacht win the scrum, keep it in possession. It’s under the jumper stuff now.
Full-time! Connacht 16-11 Glasgow
Another incredible day in an incredible season. Connacht will meet Leinster in next week’s Guinness Pro12 final at Murrayfield.
Pitch invasion at the Sportsground. Jubilant scenes, absolutely remarkable.
Bundee Aki receives his fifth Pro12 MOTM award of the season.
Connacht will face Leinster at 5pm next Saturday. Thanks for joining us this evening, full report and reaction to come from Galway.
